IT was a controversial end to the game in turf one on Saturday when Southern Pirates effectively forfeited the match by refusing to take the field against Berwick, due to heat and smoke haze.
The Dandenong District Cricket Association is expected to investigate the incident and come up with an official ruling this week.
Berwick had easily defended its firstinnings score of 243, plundering the Pirates batting for 95.
When the Bears decided to spare their bowlers, not enforce the followon and go into bat, the Pirates refused to take the field.
The game was a disaster for the Pirates batting lineup that soon became fodder for the hungry Bears.
Simon Cornell, enjoying his initial spell in the first XI for season 06/07, was in miserly form, not conceding a run before he claimed his first scalp.
It was a messy start for the Pirates who quickly crashed to an embarrassing 4/8.
Will Carr opened his account, then Jarrod Goodes took a precise catch in second slip off Cornell followed by a thunderbolt in his following over for his third wicket maiden and the astonishing figures of 30 off five.
Goodes managed to get the ball out of the hands of the openers and kept the standard high, taking just three overs to find his rhythm and a wicket came along with it for naught.
A run saw the Pirates innings in tatters at 629.
Ash Henry, with help from a Gavin Wills catch, managed three wickets, his season going from strength to strength.
Carr returned to clean up and the Pirates were all out for 95
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:TURF TWO
Set 287 against a quality Coomoora side was always going to tough for Berwick, however the weather and pitch conditions were in the home side’s favour at Arch Brown Reserve.
Berwick lost an early wicket before Paul Gramc played some powerful strokes and Hayden Stanton took the role of understudy as the Bears worked themselves back into the game.
With the score on 41 Gramc fell for 21 and Stanton followed and Ryan Crawford went lbw for 19.
That left James Davies helped himself to 38 stylish runs before he swept and was remarkably caught behind off an under edge.
Berwick was 8/123 and staring down a 150 plus run loss when Brendan Lloyd and Matt Olver showed the worth of their experience with 21 a piece, enhance the total to 171 before being all out.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:A GRADE
Berwick was defending 246 against Narre Warren North.
Jim Smith started on the right foot with the first wicket and Jason Taylor provided some tidy backup from the other end without claiming one for himself.
Andrew Jenner bowled 13 overs straight in the oppressive heat and finished with 1/20 while Michael Dalzotto spun a web around the Narre Warren North top order with his own unbroken spell of 16 overs, taking two caughtandbowled.
Michael’s brother David joined the attack and managed one, producing a bottom edge and a catch from Brad James with the gloves.
Berwick was in control with the score on 4/84 at the tea break, but failed to put the nail in the coffin of a fighting young Narre North side.
Taylor (137 from 15) took the important wicket of the opposition captain and Smith didn’t allow the lower order to get away with much, finishing with 2/49 from 16.
Narre North was 9/218 after its full allotment, Berwick taking home a hard fought win.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:B GRADE
Defending its mammoth 444, Berwick were never in danger of defeat, even though HSD progressed to 2/82 in just the 17th over, but was bowled out for 186.
Matt O’Donoghue created plenty of chances and was successful three times, as was Dave Smith (3/35) in his first game back at the club.
Captain Ryan Smart conceded 28 off six but caught two batsmen off guard and sent them packing.
Aidan Mills and Steve Carle each took one and Berwick had a wellearned early finish, with the drinks being cracked at just after 3pm.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:C GRADE
In pursuit of 204 for victory and resuming on 0/1 Berwick cruised to a comfortable win with three wickets in hand.
Andy Young led from the front with 40 and Craig Belleville never looked troubled before being stumped for 34.
Josh Holden made 26, then Geoff Wilcock stepped in and demolished the Cranbourne bowlers hopes, smashing smashed 72 at a fast pace and seemed to be on his way to his second consecutive century but Berwick quickly passed its target and the skipper called it quits.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:D GRADE
Berwick had conceded a firstinnings deficit of 60 runs and despite a brave 60 from Neville Stone and a dashing 26 from Kevin Phillips could only turn it into a 63run lead after its second innings.
It didn’t take Hampton Park long to knock off the required runs, Rod Martinez, Phillips and Lachlan Stone all grabbing a wicket.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:CLUB NOTES
A big gathering of family and friends from the juniors and Milo program, as well as players and partners from the senior club are expected this Saturday night at the clubrooms at Arch Brown for the Christmas party.
There will be entertainment for the kids starting from 6.30pm and a band playing into the night, as well as a barbecue dinner for $10 per head or $20 per family all welcome.
